Northern Lights Cruise from Downtown Reykjavik

The harbor lights are only the opening act. This two-hour cruise takes you into Faxaflói bay for a chance to see the aurora, while giving you fine views of Harpa Concert Hall, Hallgrímskirkja, and Reykjavik’s glowing waterfront. I like the heated cabin, outdoor decks, and the loaner overalls, which make a cold night on the water far more manageable.

I also like the free return cruise if the lights fail to appear, a fair answer to Iceland’s uncertain skies. The main drawback is simple: the boat does not travel far from Reykjavik, so city glow, clouds, a weak aurora, or a crowded deck can limit the show.

Key Points Before You Sail

• Two hours on Faxaflói bay: A shorter evening option than many five-hour coach searches.
• Warm overalls are supplied: They help with wind and cold, but bring your own hat and gloves.
• Three ways to watch: Use the outdoor decks, look from the bow, or warm up in the heated saloon.
• Reykjavik looks different from the water: Harpa, Hallgrímskirkja, and the waterfront become part of the evening.
• No aurora means a free second chance: Complimentary return tickets are offered, valid for two years.
• Maximum group size is 150: The boat is spacious, but busy sailings can still feel crowded.

Leaving Ægisgarður for the Night Sky

The cruise begins at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, in central Reykjavik. There is no standard hotel pickup or drop-off included, so you need to make your own way to the harbor. The meeting point is near public transportation, and the cruise returns to the same place after roughly two hours.

The departure area puts you close to Reykjavik’s waterfront attractions. If you arrive early, you can enjoy the harbor atmosphere before boarding, but keep your schedule sensible. This is an evening activity, and weather can change quickly in Iceland.

Once aboard, you can borrow a set of warm, floatable overalls. I would put them on before you feel cold rather than waiting until the wind has already worked through your clothes. The supplied suits are useful, but they do not replace a hat, gloves, and warm footwear.

The boat has several floors and outdoor viewing areas. You can move around to find a less crowded angle, though the upper deck may fill up on busy departures. Some people find the bow gives a better view than the highest deck when the top level is crowded.

The First Views: Reykjavik from the Water

The cruise first gives you a different look at Reykjavik. From the bay, the illuminated city forms a broad backdrop, with Harpa Concert Hall and Hallgrímskirkja among the most recognizable sights.

This city view is an important part of the experience. If the aurora stays hidden, you have still had an evening boat ride with a waterfront view, rather than spending two hours parked in a coach or standing in a dark field.

The Imagine Peace Tower is another special sight, but only at certain times. From October through December, when the tower is lit, the boat passes by so you can see its beam from the water. It is a memorable extra, especially on a clear night, though it is not the main reason to book the cruise.

The boat may travel for about 25 minutes before reaching a useful viewing area. It does not go far into the bay compared with some land-based aurora trips, and that matters. Reykjavik’s glow remains part of the sky, so very faint northern lights may be harder to see from here.

Finding Your Best Viewing Spot

You have three practical choices during the cruise. The outdoor decks give you the widest sky, the bow can offer a less obstructed view, and the heated indoor saloon gives you a place to recover from the cold.

I prefer the outdoor platforms when the aurora is active. The open air makes it easier to look in different directions, and the city lights behind you create a pleasing sense of place. The price of that view is wind. Even with the overalls, the top deck can feel sharply cold in January and other winter months.

The heated saloon is not just a backup for bad weather. It has seating, Wi-Fi, toilet facilities, and an onboard café selling hot drinks and snacks. Hot chocolate, water, and hand warmers have all been useful additions for people trying to stay comfortable between trips outside.

The cabin can become crowded, especially when everyone comes indoors at once. Seating may be arranged around large tables, so you might share space with other passengers. If you want a quiet seat or an unobstructed outdoor position, board promptly and be ready to move around.

The boat is generally stable, but it can rock when the sea is rough or the vessel changes speed. Some people have felt seasick, and the motion can make long-exposure photographs blurry. If you are prone to seasickness, bring the medication you normally use, and consider asking the crew about available seasickness tablets.

What the Guides Add to the Evening

The crew explain how the northern lights form and describe the conditions that affect visibility. They also point out the direction of the aurora and help people adjust camera settings.

That practical help can make a real difference. A weak aurora may look like a pale gray or green smudge to your eyes but show more color in a photograph. Do not expect every faint glow to look like the dramatic green curtains used in advertising images.

The quality of the onboard commentary can depend on where you are standing and how clearly the sound system carries. At times, music or passenger conversation can make announcements difficult to hear. English is the operating language, so you should pay attention to the safety information before heading outside.

Mia has received special praise for making the boat trip enjoyable and helping people understand what they were seeing. The strongest guides do not promise too much. They explain that the aurora is unpredictable, then help you make the most of whatever appears.

The Aurora: A Beautiful Game of Chance

No cruise can guarantee the northern lights. You need a mix of darkness, clear enough skies, and auroral activity, and those conditions can change during the evening.

Some sailings see the aurora within minutes of leaving the port. On especially fortunate nights, the display can last much of the two-hour cruise. Other departures wait an hour or more before seeing a short burst, while some see only a faint glow or nothing at all.

Cloud is the biggest enemy. A clear night with stars does not guarantee a strong display, and a full moon can make faint lights harder to see. Checking the weather and aurora forecast before you leave is sensible, but neither forecast can promise a result.

The crew make a real effort to locate the best available view from the boat, yet the cruise follows a set water route. A coach tour can sometimes drive toward a clearer area based on changing conditions. That flexibility is the main advantage of a land-based search.

The advantage of the boat is convenience and atmosphere. You avoid a long five-hour road outing, stay close to central Reykjavik, and get a proper evening on the water. If the lights appear above the bay, the setting can be remarkable.

The Free Return Cruise and What It Really Means

If no northern lights appear during your cruise, you receive complimentary tickets to try again. The return offer is valid for two years, which is generous if you have flexibility or plan to return to Iceland.

The guarantee is not the same as a refund. If you are visiting once and cannot fit another evening into your schedule, a free return ticket may have little practical value. That is the one point you should understand before booking.

The company may also cancel when conditions are unfavorable. In that case, you are offered a different date or a full refund, and notification is sent by phone or email. For that reason, it is wise to schedule this cruise early in your Reykjavik stay rather than on your final night.

A rescheduled departure can work well when your trip has spare evenings. Date changes and party changes have also been handled quickly in some cases, but the formal cancellation rule is important: cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted or refunded.

Is $105 a Fair Price?

At $105 per person, this is not the cheapest way to search for the aurora. You are paying for a boat, crew, indoor facilities, warm overalls, city views, and a two-hour outing from central Reykjavik.

The value depends on what you want. I think the price is reasonable if you dislike spending much of the night on a coach, want toilet and café access, or like the idea of seeing Reykjavik from the bay even if the aurora does not cooperate.

A coach tour may offer better odds on a difficult night because it can move toward clearer skies and darker areas. It may also last around five hours, which gives it more time to search. The tradeoff is a longer evening, more time on the road, and less of the harbor atmosphere.

The cruise makes the most sense when you are already staying in Reykjavik and want a compact activity. It is also a good fit if you are willing to try again on another night. It is less attractive if you have only one evening available and want the highest possible chance of seeing the lights.

Cold, Crowds, and Camera Advice

I would dress for serious cold, even if the forecast looks mild. Wind over the water can make an ordinary winter evening feel much harsher, and you will get better views if you are comfortable enough to stay outside.

Wear the supplied overalls over warm clothing. Add a hat and gloves, and keep your camera or phone protected from the cold when not in use. The crew can help with camera settings, but remember that the boat moves. A tripod-style long exposure may not work well when the deck is rocking.

Turn off your flash. Flash photography does nothing for the aurora and can spoil someone else’s view. If the upper deck is packed, try the bow or another outdoor platform instead of forcing yourself into the largest crowd.

The maximum capacity is 150 people. That is a fairly large group for an intimate night-sky experience, and busy sailings can feel noisy. The boat’s size gives you room to spread out, but it does not guarantee personal space.

Passengers with limited mobility are welcome, though the boats are not fully accessible. Steep stairs and high thresholds may make access to indoor areas and toilets difficult. Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part.

Who Should Book This Reykjavik Cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want a short, easy evening from downtown Reykjavik and appreciate having a warm cabin nearby. It suits first-time visitors who want the aurora hunt combined with city views, harbor scenery, and a comfortable base.

It is also a sensible choice if you are staying several nights. You can use the free return option if the first attempt fails, and you have more than one chance to work around clouds and weak forecasts.

Families and mixed-age groups may appreciate the indoor seating, toilets, café, Wi-Fi, and supplied overalls. The trip is easier for a mixed group than standing outdoors for hours, though the cold and possible rocking still deserve attention.

I would think twice if your only goal is the darkest possible sky. The boat remains close to Reykjavik, and city glow can reduce the impact of a faint aurora. A flexible coach tour may give you stronger odds when the weather is changing.

Should You Book It?

Book this cruise if you value comfort, a short schedule, and the special feeling of watching the sky from Faxaflói bay. The return-ticket policy softens the risk, and the illuminated Reykjavik waterfront makes the trip worthwhile even during a quiet aurora night.

Skip it in favor of a land-based search if you have one night only, dislike crowds, or want a guide who can chase clear skies by road. For everyone else, this is a pleasant and practical way to add an aurora hunt to a Reykjavik stay. Just bring warm layers, check the forecast, and treat the northern lights as a lucky gift rather than a promised performance.

FAQ

How long is the Northern Lights Cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately two hours and returns to the same meeting point at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, in Reykjavik.

What happens if I do not see the northern lights?

You are offered complimentary tickets to try the cruise again at no extra cost. These return tickets are valid for two years.

Are warm clothes provided?

Warm, floatable overalls are available to borrow. You should still bring a hat and gloves for extra comfort in the cold and wind.

Is there a heated area on the boat?

Yes. The boat has a heated indoor saloon with seating, Wi-Fi, toilet facilities, and a café selling hot drinks and snacks.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to reach the meeting point at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, on your own.

Can the cruise be canceled because of weather?

Yes. If conditions are unfavorable, the cruise may be canceled at short notice. You will be offered another date or a full refund, and notification will be sent by phone or email.